Melissa Bent, MD
Assistant Professor
Attending Physician at CHLA and NIH K Award Researcher
Tell us about your work.
I graduated from Morehouse School of Medicine. I feel fortunate and proud to be an HBCU alumni. I initially began my career doing Orthopedic Surgery but transitioned to Pediatrics. I graduated from UCSF’s Pediatric residency program and went to UW Madison for Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopedics, combining my love for kids and orthopedics out of the OR.
What helped get you there?
I had many influences. Dr. Bonnie Simpson Mason is an orthopedic surgeon who opened me to the field as the only black woman I saw in the white male-dominated field of Orthopaedics. She inspired many alumni from my medical school to pursue orthopedics.
What challenges have you faced in your medical career?
I have had many challenges. I am a first-generation immigrant who is a college and medical school graduate. I did a post-baccalaureate program after college to increase my GPA. I took the MCAT twice, my Pediatric Boards twice. Failure is not new to me. I was the only black woman in my orthopedic residency and one of 3 black women in my pediatric residency.
What advice do you have for women in medicine?
- Find a good mentor, sponsor, coach and advocate — sometimes they are the same person, often not
- Be vocal and believe in your self worth. Advocate for your salary.
- You are not alone
What is your leadership role in AMWA and/or share a passion that you’ve turned into an initiative and invite others to join in furthering this endeavor.
I am not currently in a leadership role but am interested in future prospects with the AMWA as an organization.
Have you had an Ah-Ha moment? or, Is there anything else that has impacted your career trajectory or work within or outside medicine that has been a significant influence?
I have always enjoyed research and switched to a research pathway over a year ago to pursue research focused on gamification in children with cerebral palsy to encourage movement.
Also, I recently wrote my first children’s book, ABCs of Women in Medicine, inspired by all the incredible women I have encountered in my career and as a mother of a 3-year-old. I want my daughter and everyone’s children to see themselves, their moms, aunts, or doctors in the light of various medical specialties.
Social Media:
melissabentmd.com
Instagram
LinkedIn